Dr. Cherup is trained in both plastic surgery and general surgery. She received her M.D. from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and completed her residencies at Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh and the University of Chicago. She received her A.B. from Princeton University in 1976.

Dr. Cherup's Philosophy on Plastic Surgery

I became a physician because my dad is a family doctor. I became a plastic surgeon because I discovered in medical school that I fit in personality-wise with the plastic surgeons in the surgery department of Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital (one of the hospitals of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons).

I love being a plastic surgeon because of what I can do for people. A psychiatrist once said to me: "You fix people on the outside and as a result, make them like themselves better and feel happy on the inside - it's just the opposite of what I do."

Well, it's the truth.

I perform reconstructive and aesthetic cosmetic surgery on patients in and around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but I seem to specialize in aesthetic cosmetic surgery. I know what it feels like to want to maintain one's self - I've had done on myself at least a few of the cosmetic surgery operations I commonly do. Not only as a plastic surgeon, but also as a plastic surgery patient, I understand when a person says "I don't deserve to have these breasts on my body." I want to help that person feel unified again. I don't understand when a person delivers to me the same breast complaints and also smokes two packs per day, is forty pounds overweight, and doesn't exercise. I'm willing to do anything for a patient that is medically sound and surgically feasible, as long as they can demonstrate that they are capable of doing everything for their health and for themselves.

It pains me to do something medically unsound. I have a strong medical and ethical conscience. On the other hand, I often may ask the plastic surgery patient to do something very difficult because it will medically afford us the best aesthetic result.

Because I've had great training, and because I've had some aesthetic cosmetic surgery procedures myself, I really know what I'm asking cosmetic surgery patients to experience. I ask for a bit of stoicism, and simply the desire to heal and get strong again. All pain- if there are no medical complications- goes away. Discomfort is expected and tolerable, if you can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I Get Very Good Cosmetic Surgery Results

Our Pennsylvania office is a center for excellence

in serving you for all of your aesthetic care needs. Susan our aesthetician will treat your skin with our BioMedic program bringing your skin to radiance as best as she can without having to see a cosmetic surgeon for surgery. Our new EpiLaser will give me the opportunity to remove your unwanted body and facial hair with a near-painless, almost permanent 3-phase procedure. Call our Pennsylvania offices for details.

I will take your dreams and expectations for your face and body contour and deliver to you a planned package to elevate and maintain your new image, with the ultimate goal of a long, healthy life.

Board Memberships:Member: American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, Inc.Certified by: The American Board of Plastic Surgery.Fellow: The American College of Surgeons.Member: American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.